It is one of the few solid body electrics the company ever made, and it was the first mass-produced American guitar to have active electronics.

[citation needed] The active electronics allowed guitarists to get a very wide range of sounds out of the guitar.

Peter Tosh of The Wailers used a Breadwinner during the band's 1973 "Burnin'" Tour, and can be seen/heard with it in the 1973 "Capitol Sessions" video, as well as on the album "Talkin Blues".

On the original back cover of the 1980 album Panorama by The Cars, keyboardist Greg Hawkes can be seen holding a black version of the Breadwinner.

In the early 80's, Robert Smith of The Cure used a black version whilst filling in as guitarist for Siouxsie and the Banshees, he can be seen playing it in the Nocturne live footage.